U.S. patent number 4,457,313 [Application Number 06/371,208] was granted by the patent office on 1984-07-03 for shield protector for artificial insemination and culture collection instruments.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Continental Plastics Corporation. Invention is credited to Richard R. Alter.
United States Patent |
4,457,313 |
Alter |
July 3, 1984 |
Shield protector for artificial insemination and culture collection
instruments
Abstract
A shield protector device for use with artificial insemination
instruments and/or culture collection devices, consisting of an
inner tubular portion movable relative to an outer tubular sheath
protector portion, includes a cylindrical housing having a closed
end, which is sealingly attached to the distal end of the outer
tubular sheath protector portion. The closed end of the housing is
scored to provide a break-away membrane when the closed end of the
shield protector is engaged by the inner tubular portion to
complete the insemination or culture collection process.
Inventors: |
Alter; Richard R. (Delavan,
WI) |
Assignee: |
Continental Plastics
Corporation (Delavan, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
23462979 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/371,208 |
Filed: |
April 23, 1982 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
600/572; 600/562;
604/187; 604/197; 604/199 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B
10/04 (20130101); A61B 17/43 (20130101); A61M
2210/14 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61B
17/43 (20060101); A61B 17/42 (20060101); A61B
10/00 (20060101); A61M 037/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/1R,749,756,759
;604/3,55,93,181,184,187,192,198,200,199,236,238,240,263,201,205 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Coven; Edward M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Emrich, Lee, Brown et al.
Claims
I claim:
1. A shield protector device for use with an artificial
insemination instrument, said instrument including a tubular inner
portion positioned within and movable relative to an outer tubular
sheath protector portion having a distal end thereon said shield
protector device including a cylindrical housing having a closed
end, said cylindrical housing being sealingly mounted to said
distal end of said outer tubular sheath protector portion and said
closed end of said protector device is scored to provide a
break-away membrane when said closed end of said shield protector
is engaged by the end of the tubular inner portion to permit
deposit of the semen into the cervix of an animal.
2. The shield protector device in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said closed end of said cylindrical housing is tapered outwardly to
facilitate insertion of the instrument into the cervix of an
animal.
3. The shield protector device in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said cylindrical housing is composed of plastic.
4. The shield protector device in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said scored closed end is of a circular configuration having a
diameter of at least the diameter of the tubular inner portion.
5. A shield protector device for use with a medicating collection
instrument, said instrument including an inner tubular swab
protector positioned within and movable relative to an outer
tubular sheath protector having a distal end thereon, a tubular
swab rod is positioned within and movable relative to said distal
end of said outer tubular sheath protector and said closed end of
said protector device is scored to provide a break-away membrane
when said closed end of said shield protector is engaged by the end
of the inner tubular swab protector to thereby permit said swab rod
to be extended to collect the culture.
6. The shield protector device in accordance with claim 5 wherein
said closed end of said cylindrical housing is tapered outwardly to
facilitate insertion of the instrument into the cervix of an
animal.
7. The shield protector device in accordance with claim 5 wherein
said cylindrical housing is composed of plastic.
8. The shield protector device in accordance with claim 5 wherein
said scored closed end is of a circular configuration having a
diameter of at least the diameter of the inner tubular swab
protector.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a break-away shield protector
element for use with artificial insemination instruments and
culture collection devices useful in medication, anticeptic or
culture collection processes utilized in the animal husbandry
industry.
During the insertion of artificial insemination instruments and/or
cultural collection devices into the cervix of an animal, the
instrument must pass through the vulva and/or cervical canal of the
animal. Because the vulva and cervical canal are not sterile and
most generally contain bacteria and diseased germs, such as vaginal
or uterine infections or mycoplasma, it is vitally important to
eliminate the transferral of these diseased germs and mycoplasma
into the cervix. Moreover, because the insertion of insemination
and collection control devices must pass through the cervical
canal, oftentimes the prior art devices have carried and
transported the diseased germs and contaminants from the cervical
canal into the cervix during the artificial insemination process
and/or the cultural collection process.
Prior art attempts to try to eliminate the transferral of
contaminants and disease from the vulva and cervical canal to the
cervix and to eliminate the contamination of the insemination
instrument and/or cultural collection device during its passage
through the cervical canal into the cervix are disclosed in Cassou
U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,281 and Hoffman U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,060.
However, in Cassou, the opening in the leading or distal end of the
artificial insemination instrument permits the build-up of diseased
germs and contaminants in the instrument during its insertion
through the vulva and cervical canal and results in the semen or
other material contained therein being contaminated during usage.
Accordingly, such instruments, although reducing the amount of
contaminants and disease carried into the cervix during usage,
results in a use of an artificial insemination instrument which
becomes contaminated during insertion into the cervix. Accordingly,
such instruments have not solved the problem of eliminating the
contamination of the semen during insertion into the cervix of the
animal.
Similarly, the Hoffman patent discloses an artificial insemination
instrument wherein the open ended sheath protector portion includes
a cavity on the end thereof with a paper liner mounted therein.
This cavity and liner structure, although reducing contamination of
the semen contained in the insemination during insertion, provides
a structure wherein the defined cavity collects diseased germs and
transports them directly into the cervix of the animal.
Accordingly, such an instrument and result is undesirable in
artificial insemination and cultural collection devices.
Additionally, it has been suggested to mechanically fasten a blunt
edged plug to the end of the artificial insemination instrument,
such that after the instrument has been inserted within the cervix,
the plug is pushed out and the insemination process is
accomplished. However, such blunt edged plugs collect germs and
unsanitary matter on the end thereof and transports them directly
into the cervix of the animal. Moreover, when such instruments are
removed from the animal, the mechanically fastening structure and
trailing plug results in a structure which is injurious to the
animal during usage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a shield
protector element on the operative and distal end of artificial
insemination instruments and cultural collection devices which
eliminates the transport of diseased germs, mycoplasm and unsterile
matter from the vulva and cervical canal into the cervix and which
eliminates the contamination of the semen or cultural collecting
swab within the instrument during insertion into the cervix.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the novel shield
protector element or means is attached to the operative or distal
end of the outer sheath protector portion of an artificial
insemination instrument. The shield protector element is comprised
of soft vinyl tip material that sealingly engages about the outer
surface of the operative or distal end of the tubular sheath
protector portion of the insemination device. The shield protector
element is, preferably, of tubular housing having the closed end
partially scored to permit the inner insemination tube, which is
slidingly movable within the outer tubular sheath protector, to
engage the closed end of the shield protector and opened the same
where the shield protector is scored.
The artificial insemination device in accordance with the present
invention is comprised of an inner insemination tube portion
slidably positioned within an outer tubular sheath protector
portion, as is known in the art. The outer tubular sheath protector
generally includes a flange on one end and the other distal end
includes a plastic shield protector positioned thereon. The semen
is positioned within the inner insemination tube and, upon the
insertion of the insemination device into the vulva and cervical
canal of the animal, as the insemination device passes through the
vulva and cervical canal, the insemination tube is pushed forward
relative to the sheet protector to engage the scored end portion of
the shield protector element. After the insemination instrument is
positioned in the cervix, the insemination tube engages and
breaks-away the protective tip portion of the shield protector,
thereby permitting the insemination tube to proceed to extend into
the cervix during the infusion or insemination process. Preferably,
the shield protector element or means is composed of a soft vinyl
material to permit the scored closed end to act as a break-away
membrane engaged with the tip end of the insemination tube. After
the semen and, if desired, the antibiotics which may be added to
the semen in an effort to control contamination by organisms or
have been infused into the animal, the inner insemination tube is
withdrawn outwardly relative to the outer sheath protector to a
position within the shield protector and the entire insemination
instrument is withdrawn from the animal to complete the
insemination or infusion process. Upon withdrawl of the
insemination device, the shield protector and its smooth
configuration thereof, substantially reduces and eliminates any
irritation or damage to the cervix, cervical canal and vulva lining
of the animal. After removal of the insemination device, the device
is discarded and the process is repeated upon subsequent
animals.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shield
protector element or means is sealingly mounted to a culture
collection device. The culture collection device includes a shield
protector element sealingly mounted to the distal end of an outer
sheath protector element which contains a slidable movable inner
tubular swab protector which contains a slidably mounted swab or
culture collection element. As set forth previously, upon insertion
of the culture collection device past the vulva lining, and
cervical canal into the cervix of the animal, the shield protector
substantially eliminates diseases and contaminants from the vulva
lining from being passed into the cervix of the animal and prevents
contamination of the cultural gathering or swab tip contained
within the cultural collection device. When the culture collection
device has been fully inserted into the cervix of the animal, the
inner tubular swab protector portion, containing the swab or
cultural collections means therein, engages the scored end portion
of the shield protector to break-away the protective scored end of
the shield protector. Thereafter, the swab or cultural element
device moves forward with respect to the inner tubular swab
protector to culture the animal and/or apply medication to the
cervix of the animal. Upon completion of this medicating and/or
culture collecting process, the swab element is moved outwardly
relative to the inner tubular swab protector to rest inside thereof
and then the inner tubular protector is moved outwardly with
respect to the outer sheath protector tube. Upon removal of the
device from the animal, the shield protector prevents contamination
of the swab or collection element from being contaminated by
disease and unsanitary matter within the animal .
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the artificial insemination
instrument and shield protector device in accordance with the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the artificial
insemination instrument and shield protector device in accordance
with the present invention during insertion into the cervical canal
of the animal;
FIG. 2a is an end view of the shield protector device mounted onto
the sheath protector in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the artificial
insemination instrument and the shield protector device in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3a is an end view of the shield protector device in its open
position when the instrument has been positioned in the cervix of
an animal;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cultural collection device and
shield protector element in accordance with the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section view of the culture
collection device and protector shield element in accordance with
the present invention during insertion of the device into the
cervical canal of the animal;
FIG. 6 is an end view of the shield protector element mounted onto
the culture collection device in accordance with the present
invention of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the culture
collection device and shield protector element in accordance with
the present invention showing the scored portion of the element
broken away upon engagement by the inner tubular swab
protector;
FIG. 8 is an end view of the shield protector element showing the
break-away scored portion of the shield protector element in the
open position in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the culture
collection device and swab element fully extending outwardly from
the scored portion of the shield protector element with the device
is positioned in the cervix of the animal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals have been used
throughout the several views to designate the same or similar
parts, there is shown in FIG. 1 an artificial insemination
instrument or device 10 which is comprised of an outer tubular
sheath protector 11, an inner insemination tube 12 and a shield
protector element 14.
The outer tubular sheath protector 11 includes a flange 15 at one
end thereof with the shield protector element 14 sealingly attached
to the opposite distal end. The inner insemination tube 12 contains
the semen or, if desired, an antibiotic or other medication (not
shown) which may be utilized in breeding the animal or medicating
the animal for various and sundry diseases. The inner insemination
tube 12 preferably includes a tapered end portion 13 which engages
the shield protector element or device 14 to open the same, as will
hereinafter be described.
The shield protector element or device 14 is composed of a soft
vinyl material which is sealingly mounted to the outside surface of
the outer tubular sheath protector 11. The cylindrical housing 16
of the shield protector element or device 14 having a scored end
portion 17 which snaps and breaks-away upon engagement by the
tapered end portion 13 of the insemination tube 12, when the
insemination instrument has been positioned in the cervix of the
animal. Although FIGS. 2a and 3a show that the scored end portion
17 of the shield protector element 14 is circular in shape, the
scored configuration may be criss-crossed in form to permit the
tapered end portion 13 of the insemination tube 12 to engage the
closed end of the shield protector element and open the same with
the shield protector element is scored.
It is further understood that the outer tubular sheath protector 11
may be of such a large inside diameter that the shield protector
element or device 14 may be wedged within the inside surface
thereof with a sufficient opening defined by the cylindrical
housing to permit the tapered end portion 13 of the insemination
tube 12 to extend therethrough to engage the closed end of the
shield protector element and open the same where the shield
protector is scored. Additionally, it is understood by scoring that
the shield protector element 14 is partially cut or scored such
that upon engagement by the tapered end portion 13 of the
insemination tube 12, that the shield protector element acts as a
breakable membrane to permit the scored portion 17 to break-away to
an open position with the end 13 extending therethrough, as shown
in FIG. 3 of the drawings.
In operating, the insemination instrument 10 is inserted into the
vulva or cervical canal of the animal. The inner insemination tube
12 is pushed or moved forward relative to the outer tubular sheath
protector 11, to a position as shown in FIG. 2. When the
insemination instrument 10 has been fully positioned within the
cervix, the tapered end portion 13 engages the scored end portion
17 of the shield protector element 14 to break-away the scored
portion, a position as shown in FIG. 3. Thereafter, the semen and,
if desired, any antibiotics or other medication which may be added
to the semen to control any possible disease in the animal, is
infused or injected into the cervix of the animal. Thereafter, the
inner insemination tube 12 is withdrawn relative to the outer
sheath protector 11 to the position as shown in FIG. 2 and the
insemination instrument 11 is withdrawn from the animal to complete
the insemination or infusion process.
The tapered end portion 18 of the shield protector element 14
provides a tapered surface which prevents the transferral of
diseased germs and unsanitary matter from the vulva lining and
cervical canal from passing into the cervix of the animal during
the insemination or infusion process. Thus, the mycoplasma
infections contained in the vulva or cervical canal of the animal
is prevented from being carried to and deposited in the cervix of
the animal and prevents the source of infection or disease from
attacking the animal during the insemination or infusion process.
Additionally, the sealed shield protector element prevents the
diseased germs and unsanitary matter contained in the vulva lining
and cervical canal from penetrating the insemination instrument 10
and contaminating the semen and/or other medication contained
therein. After removal of the insemination device from the animal,
the device is discarded.
In another embodiment of the present invention, in FIG. 4, a shield
protector element 17 is sealingly mounted to a culture collection
device 20. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 9, the culture collection
device 20 is comprised of an outer tubular sheath protector 11, an
inner tubular swab protector 22 adapted for movement relative to
the outer tubular sheath protector 11 and a tubular swab rod 24
having a swab 25 mounted to the end thereof. The tubular swab rod
24 is movable relative to the inner tubular swab protector 22, as
will hereinafter be described. The shield protector element 14 is
sealingly mounted to the outside surface of the tubular sheath
protector 11 on the distal end thereof. As set forth previously
with respect to the embodiment utilized on the insemination
instrument 11 (FIGS. 1-3), the shield protector element or device
14 includes a cylindrical housing 16 having a scored closed end
portion 17 (FIGS. 6, 6a) which snaps open or breaks-away upon
engagement by the inner tubular swab end 23 of the tubular swab
protector 22, when the culture collection device 20 has been
positioned in the cervix of the animal. Although FIGS. 6 and 8 show
that the scored end portions 17 of the shield protector element or
device 14 is circular in shape, the scored configuration may be of
criss-crossed design sufficient to permit the tubular swab end 23
of the tubular swab protector 22 to engage the closed end of the
shield protector element and open the same when the shield
protector element is scored. Preferably, the scored portion 17 is
tapered outwardly to prevent build-up of materials therein during
insertion into the cervix. Thus, in viewing the FIGS. 5 and 7, the
tubular swab end 23 engages the scored portion 17 of the shield
protector element 14 to snap open or break-away the scored portion
17 and move the same to an open position (FIG. 7) and to permit the
inner tubular swab protector 22 to extend therethrough (FIG. 9). As
shown in FIG. 9, the tubular swab rod mounting the swab 25 thereon,
is then moved relative to the inner tubular swab protector 22 to
collect the medical sample and/or medicate the cervix of the
animal, as desired. After the medicating and/or collecting process
has been completed, the swab and tubular swab rod 24 is pulled
outardly relative to the inner tubular swab protector from a
position as shown in FIG. 9 to a position as shown in FIG. 7.
Thereafter, the inner tubular swab protector is pulled outwardly
relative to the outer tubular sheath protector 11 to a position as
shown in FIG. 5. The culture collection device 20 is then withdrawn
from the animal to complete the medication or culturing process.
Upon withdrawl of the culture collection device 20, the shield
protector element 14 and its smooth configuration thereof
substantially eliminates any irritation or damage to the cervix,
the cervical canal and vulva lining and prevents disease or other
contaminations from penetrating the collection device and damaging
the culture obtained.
Thus, while I have illustrated and described the preferred
embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that this is
capable of variation and modification, and I, therefore, do not
wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to
avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the
purview of the following claims.
* * * * *